Choosing a Grill | Barbecue Fuel | Safety Tips | Barbecue Marinating | Cooking Time Guide
Choosing a Barbecue Grill
There is a huge choice of ready-made grills on the market, and it's important to choose one that suits your particular needs. First decide how many people you want to cook for and where you are likely to use the grill. For instance, do you usually have barbecues just for the family, or are you likely to have barbecue parties for lots of friends? Once you've decided on your basic requirements, you will be able to choose between the different types more easily.
Hibachis
These small cast-iron grills originated in Japan-the word hibachi translates literally as "firebox." They are inexpensive, easy to use and easily transportable. Lightweight versions are now made in steel or aluminum.
Disposable Grills
These will last for about an hour and are a convenient idea for picnic-style barbecues or for cooking just a few small pieces of food.
Portable Grills
These are usually quite light and fold away to fit into a car trunk so you can take them on picnics. Some are even small enough to fit into a backpack.
Brazier Grills
These open grills are suitable for use on a patio or in the garden. Most have legs or wheels, and it's a good idea to check that the height suits you. The grill area of a brazier varies in size, and the brazier may be round or rectangular. It's useful to choose one that has a shelf attached to the side. Other extras may include an electric, battery-powered or clockwork spit: Choose one on which you can adjust the height of the spit. Many brazier grills have a hood, which is useful as a windbreak and gives a place to mount the spit.
Kettle Grills
These have a large, hinged lid, which can be used as a windbreak; when closed, the lid allows you to use the grill rather like an oven. Even large cuts of meat or whole turkeys cook successfully, as the heat reflected within the dome helps to brown the meat evenly. The heat is easily controlled by the use of efficient air vents. This type of grill can also be used for home-smoking foods.
Gas Grills
The main advantage of these is their convenience-the heat is instant and easily controllable. The disadvantage is that they tend to be quite expensive.
Permanent Grills
These are a good idea if you often have barbecues at home. They can be built simply and cheaply. Choose a sheltered site that is a little way from the house, but with easy access to the kitchen. Permanent grills can be built with ordinary house bricks, but it's best to line the inside with firebricks, which will withstand the heat better. Use a metal shelf for the fuel and a grid at whatever height you choose. Kits ware available containing all you need to build a grill.
Improvised Grills
Barbecue cooking add to the fun of eating outdoors on picnics and camping, trips but transporting the grill for the rest of the day can make the idea more of a chore than a treat. Basic grills can be built at almost no cost and can be dismantled after use as quickly as they were put together. A pile of stones topped with chicken wire and fueled with driftwood or kindling makes a very efficient grill. Or take a large cookie tin with you and punch a few holes in it; fill it with charcoal and place a grid on top. With just a little planning, you can turn your trip into a truly memorable event.